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(No Model.)l 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. G. BILLINGS.

GHANGEABLB- GEARING.

vNo. 588,316. 'Patented Aug. 17,1897.

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L. G. BILLINGS. GHANGEABLE GEARING.

110.588,31@ Patented Aug. 17,1897.

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L. G. BILLINGS. GEANGEABLB GEARING.

No. 588,316. l Patented Aug. 17,1897.

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(N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

I L. G. BILLINGS.

'GHANGEABLB GEARING. No. 588,316. Patented Aug. 17,1897.

WITNESSES.' IIVVE/VTOH jfwydf ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT @Ericav Lori-inne. EILLINes, on CLIFTON, NEW YORK.

CHANGEABLE GEARING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of `Letters Patent No. 588,316, dated August17, 1897.

Application iiled September l, 1896. Serial No. 6Q4,505. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LUTHER G. BILLINGS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Clifton, in the county of Richmond and State of New York,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in ChangeableGearing,

of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to means for transniitting motion from adrivingshaft to a driven wheel or drum, and also to means for varyingthe ratio of speed at will. f

It consists in the peculiar arrangementof Va plurality of trains ofgearing intermediate 'of this specification and represent the manner inwhich I have carried out the invention. Figure lis a section on a planeparallel vwith and passing through the axis of the driving-shaft,certain portions being in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section at a right angle to Fig. l, taken on the line 2 '2in that figure. Fig. 3 is a section on the broken line 3 3 in Fig. l,seen in the direction indicated by the arrows and showingcertainportions in face view. The dotted lines show the outlines of the cageand its' connections. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 in Fig. l andshows the drumin end elevation.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in allthe figures.

The construction and arrangement of the hangers A, forming portions ofthe framing,- the shaft B, driven drum C, and ball-bearings B' C'therefor will be readily understood and need notbe specificallydescribed.

At the mid-length ofthe shaft B is a pinion D, having its hub or boss dextended in both directions and held inplacc by the pins d'.

vThe extensions form seats for two toothed rings E and F, 'of diiferentdiameters, joined to the pinion D by pins cl2, compelling all to turntogether with the shaft B and forming in effect three pinions D, E, andF of diering diameter.

On the inner end of each sleeve A', extending inward from the hangers A,is fixed a three-armed spider A2, thebranches extending radially and atequal distances from each other and carrying each a boss A2, having atriangular web A4, fastened by screws a to a iixed retaining-ring A5,one on each vside and each the counterpart of the other. The spiders A2are joined by short studs A6, passing through the bosses A3 and carryingon their overhung ends rollers A7,. to be presently described.

G is one of a pair of end plates, joined to its companion by rigidVstay-rods G' G2, the latter performing the additional function ofsupporting the tubular counter-shafts carrying the intermediate gears,the whole forming a frame or cage held against rotation by the rollersA7, extending through openings g in the end plates, and held againstdisplacement axially by the anges AS on the rollers, lying incontactwith the inner faces of the plates. Each of the latter is provided witha central concentric opening g', and one, the rightin Fig. l, receivesan eccentric H, formed on the inner face of a disk H',loosely held by aIiange A9 on the retaining-ring A5 and rotatable therein by means to bedescribed.

The stay-rods G2 are provided at each end with a head G3, securedthereto by pins g2 and fitted in corresponding openings in the endplates G. The inner faces of the heads are turned to form cones G4,which with the hardened-steel rings I form raceways for a series ofinterposed antifriction-balls J. The

rings I vare secured each in a recess turned out in the ends of thetubular shafts L, M, and N, provided at the mid-length with pinions L',M', and N', matching, respectively, to the pinions D, E, and F on thedrivingshaft B, and also carry at each en d gears L2, M2, and N2, ofequaldiameter, adaptedV to mesh when required with two pinions C2, oneat each side, formed, by cutting a' series `of teeth on the periphery ofan inwardly-extending sleeve C2', cast in one with each end plate G4 ofthe drum C and loosely inclosing the ixed sleeve A', as shown.

IOO

It will be seen that as either pinion D, E, or E on the. driving-shaft Bis engaged by its corresponding pinion L', M', or N' the transmittedmotion will be again transferred by the tubular shaft L, il, or Nthrough the gears L2, M2, or N2 and pinions C2 to the drum C and thelatter will be revolved, the rate of speed relatively to the shaft Bdepending on the ratio of the pinions making up each train.

If the train of gearing consisting of the pinion D, having forty-threeteeth, meshing into the pinion L2, having twenty-nine teeth, the pinionL2 on the same shaft, with fortythree teeth, meshing into thedrum-pinion C2, with twenty-nine teeth, the number of revolutions of thedrum C relatively to the shaft B will be as 1,819 to 811. The nexttrain, consisting of the pinion E, having forty teeth, intermediatepinion M', having thirtytwo teeth, the pinions M2 and C2 being asbefore, gives a ratio of 1,720 to 92S, and the remaining train,consisting of the pinion E, having thirty-seven teeth, with theinterinediate pinion N', having thirty-five teeth, produces with thegears N2 and C2, same as above, the ratio of 1,591 to 1,015, or, first,2.10 to 1; second, 1. S5 to 1, and, third, 1. 57 to l, approximately. Asshown in the drawings, all the pinions L2, M2, and N2 are the same indiameter and mesh with the drum-pinions C2 without distinction.

The engagement of either train is effected by partially rotating thedisk H' until the eccentric thereon moves the cage to the requiredposition. The mechanism through which this is accomplished may bedescribed as follows: On the outer face of the disk are three lugs R,similar to ratchet-teeth, equally spaced circumferentially, but atdiiferent distances radially from the center, and arranged with theirworking faces in the same direction. On the outer face C4 of the drum Care three seginentallyshaped dogs S, having their ends properly formedto engage the lugs and lying in closely-fitting slots cut. in the endpiate C4. The dogs are hinged at the opposite end to the face-plate at sand are held normally away from the face and out of engagement with thelugs by springs s', attached to the face-plate, with their free ends inthe notches s2, cut to receive them in the dogs S.

T T are sleeves inclosing the stud A10 and arranged to slide axiallythereon against the force of springs and for compactness telescoping onewithin the other, as shown. Each is provided with an oblique slotreceiving a screw t', tapped into the stud, and a chain or otherconnection t2, leading to any convenient point on the framing within thereach of the rider, by which either sleeve may be pulled axially on thestud against the force exerted by the spring 1f. Each sleeve carries aradial arm t3, having an antifriction-roller t* in its outer end. Byreason of the oblique slot and screw t' the axial movement of the sleevealso produces a partial rotation on the stud and turns t-he arm t3 intothe position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, with its roller in thepath of its corresponding dog S, and the latter in passing will bepressed inward, so that its working face will engage its lug R andthrough the latter turn the disk Il' until the dog is released bypassing out of the iniiuence of roller. The first effect of the turningmotion is to throw out of engagement any previously-engaged train. Thiswill be accomplished by one-sixth of a complete revolution, and onreaching the predetermined point at which the dog is released one-thirdof a revolution, as here shown, the eccentric H will have gyrated thecage carrying the several trains to the position in which one of thepinions L', M', or l corresponding to the chain pulled will mesh withits pinion D, E, or E on the driving-shaft, and the correspondingratiobe established.

Iirorder to allow the rider to disengage all the trains withoutsubstituting another, I provide a second series of lugs U on the diskwithin the others, but equally spaced and each at the same radialdistance from the center. Either of these maybe engaged by a dog V,similar in all respects to one of the dogs S above described, butextending only onesixth of the eircu inference of its circle instead ofone-third, as in the others, and actuated by a sleeve XV, having an armw3 and roller 104, operated by a pull on the chain 102, as before. Theengagement with either lug U turns the disk H' one-sixth of a revolutionand gyrates the cage into a position in which the gears and pinions areall out of mesh, and therefore leaves the drum C free to revolve in itsbearings C' entirely independent of the driving-shaft B and itsconnections. The bicycle is then in the best condition for coasting. Theintermediate trains of gearing are to be thrown into and out ofengagement or substituted one for another as the inclination orcondition may dictate, as will be understood. The rider is enabled bythepeculiar mechanism shown to change from one speed to either of theothers indiscriminately and without throwing into gear any but theti'ain desired.

The holes g, receiving the rollers A7, are of sufficient diameter toallow all the required gyratory motion of the cage while still heldbetween the iianges A8 on the rollers and the disk Il'.

K is a spring dog orlatch having the faces of its head K' beveled, asshown, to match the beveled notches h produced in the periphery of thedisk H', properly spaced to engage and hold the latter in eitherposition determined by the dogs S and V and their lugs with sufficientforce to insure against accidental disengagement, but having the anglesof the faces and notches at such inclination as will release the diskunder the strong force exerted by the dogs S and V.

Modifications may be made in the forms IOO IIO

IIS

and proportions Without departing from the principles of the inventionor sacrificing its advantages.

A greater or less numberof trains of intermediate gearing may beemployed instead of the three shown, and the ratios may be changed.

I claiml. In changeable gearing, the drive-shaft, av plurality ofpinions of differing diameters fixed on the shaft, adruni or Wheelmounted concentrically `With said shaft and carrying aninwardly-projecting sleeve having a pinion thereon, in combination Withthe iXed sleeves inclosing said shaft,spiderframes carried by said fixedsleeves, retaining-rings secured to the spider-frames, the disks mountedon the said drum-sleeves and guided at their peripheries by the saidrings, eccentrics carriedvby the disks, a cage gyrated by the eccentricsand carrying a plurality of countershafts equipped with pinions ofdi'lfering diameters adapted tomesh With the said driveshaft pinions,and gears adapted to mesh with the said drum-pinions, all substantiallyas herein specified.

2. The fixed vsleeves A', spider-frames A2- and retaining-rings A5,carried thereby, the studs A6, rollers A7 and flanges A8 on the latter,in combination With a disk H guided in one of said retaining-rings andcarrying an veccentric H, a cage gyrated by the latter and carrying aplurality of counter-shafts equipped With pinions of differing diametersas L, M' and N and gears L2, M2 and N2, a drive-shaft B having pinionsDE and F of differing diameters matching said counterpinions, and aninclosing drum C having inwardly-projecting sleeves C3 and pinions C2carried on the latter and adapted to be engaged by said gears L2, M2 andN2, all substantially as herein specified.

3. In changeable gearing, a drive-shaft, a plurality of pinions ofdiffering diameters iixed thereon, a drum or Wheel mountedconcentrically with said shaft and carrying inwardly projecting sleeveshaving pinions thereon,a plurality of counter-shafts each carrying anintermediate Apinion of diering diameter adapted to mesh Withsaid-shaft-pinions, and mounted in a cage adapted to be shifted toeffect the engagement of either intermediate pinion With itsshaft-pinion, a

` disk H and eccentric H thereon for shifting said cage, the lugs R onsaid disk, the dogs S 588,316 y p s carried by the drum and adapted toengage each its respective lug and thereby partially rotate the disk toengage the corresponding train of gearing and means for depressingeither of said dogs at will, all substantially as herein specified.

4. In changeable gearing, a drive-shaft, a plurality of pinions ofdiering diameters fixed thereon, a drum or Wheel mounted concentricallyWith said shaft and carrying in- War'dly projecting sleeves havingpinions thereon, a plurality of counter-shafts each carrying anintermediate pinion of differing diameter adapted to mesh With saidshaft-pinions, and mounted in a cage adapted to be shifted to effect theengagement of either intermediate pinion with its shaft-pinion, a disk Hand eccentric H thereon for shifting said cage, thelugs R on said disk,and dogs S carried hy th`e drum and adapted to engage each itsrespective lug and thereby partially rotate the disk to engage thecorresponding train of gearing, and the sleeves-T and arms t2 androllers t4 thereon and means as the oblique slots and screws t thereinfor engaging said dogs With their respective lugs by-an endwise movementof said sleeves, all substantially as herein specified.

5. In changeable gearing, a drive-shaft, a plurality of pinions ofdiffering diameters fixed thereon, a drum or Wheel mountedconcentrically With said shaft and carrying inwardly-projecting sleeveshaving pinions thereon,a plurality of counter-shafts each carrying anintermediate pinion of differing diameter adapted to mesh with saidshaft-pinions, and mounted in a cage adapted to be shifted to effect the'engagement of either intermediate pinion With its shaft-pinion, a diskl-I and eccentric H thereon for shifting the cage, the lugs U on saiddisk and the dog V carried on the drum and adapted to engage either ofsaid lugs and thereby partially rotate the disk todisengage either ofthe trains of gearing and allow the said drum to revolve independentlyof said drive-shaft, all s ubstantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix mysignature in presence of two Witnesses.

LUTHER G. BILLINGS.

Witnesses J. P. FIRENG, JOHN A. DELvEs.

ICO

